Category: Thoughts and Meditations Page 3 of 4

Do You Even See Me, God?

On March 21, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

(Gen 16:13) And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

(Gen 21:17) And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.

There are times where I have been so deep in sorrow that I asked God this same question. I’m sure I’m not alone and those of you who are reading this have or are going through this same thing. My mind races with thoughts revolving around my problem. Surely God does not want this daughter to be overcome with despair and grief!

I am encouraged by the account of Hagar because I see God’s hand in her life. He hears her cries and actually sees her. The Creator of the universe has time to see a woman pouring her heart out; that means He has the time for me. He hears me – He sees me. It’s hard to comprehend, isn’t it?

The Lord sees my pain and He hears my cries for my prodigal son to return. He hears your cries when your body is wracked with pain! Each tear that we shed is preserved in His book, and so are yours! He knows each struggle, each pain, and each battle.

(Psa 56:8) Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

As in Hagar’s case, there is nothing wrong in crying out to the Lord with our problems. He knows our needs even before we ask (Matthew 6:8); He hears us, and He sees us. He is not some faraway being portrayed as a puppeteer as some claim. He is God Almighty, and nothing is too hard for Him.

(Genesis 18:14) Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

(Jeremiah 32:17) Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

(Jeremiah 32:27) Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

When Joshua was commissioned by God to lead his people, God told him exactly what He was going to do for him.

Jos 1:5-9 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (6) Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. (7) Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. (8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (9) Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

As Christians, we can glean from Joshua’s commission because we can see that God is in every aspect of Joshua’s life. Just as He was with Hagar, so is He with us. What is your struggle, reader? Does it seem hopeless, overwhelming, and insurmountable? God shines in those situations! He may not remove your burden, but He will help you carry it.

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The Saint-ified Life

By Kate Plourde

On March 19, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

Definition of Saint-ification: The process of growing in Christ through the reading of God’s Word and applying it to my life.

This may be a play on words, but its message is quite clear. While listening to a message on the prophet Amos, the pastor spoke about the plumb line of God’s Word and how we can walk out of plumb. The plumb is used by builders to make sure the structure they build is vertically straight. The corner stone dictates whether the rest of the structure is built to plumb. This is a poignant directive which we can apply to our spiritual lives as well.

Am I walking out of plumb with God? Do I only do those things that please me from what He instructs through the Bible? We see the results of walking out of plumb with God all around. Churches are filled with spiritually sicker people than ever before. Church has become filled with people desiring a place of entertainment and not desiring to walk in plumb with God.

A crooked wall is a danger to those who stand beside it when it comes crashing down. But what about the plumb line of my spiritual walk with Christ? This same preacher also made a statement that hit me between the eyes:

Is the wall of my life so crooked that it is dangerous to those around me?

Our testimony of Christ reveals our plumb line. Is it straight? Does it lean to the left or right? What people see when they look at us and listen to us is a mini Gospel of the Lord Jesus. Where are you leading those who are watching? Are you misdirecting them? I once read:

You are the only Bible some people will read, and you are the only Jesus some people will see.

So how plumb are you, spiritually speaking? Are you crucified with Christ and leading others to Him through your testimony? Or are you a danger to them? The process It is good to reflect and compare ourselves with the perfect plumb line – our Chief Corner Stone! How appropriate the Christ is the Chief Corner Stone of salvation.

(Psa 118:22) The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

(Isa 28:16) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

(Mat 21:42) Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

(Mar 12:10) And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

(Luk 20:17) And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

(Act 4:11) This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

(Eph 2:20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

(1Pe 2:6) Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

(1Pe 2:7) Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

Lord, I don’t want to be a danger to those around me. I want to lead them to the Rock that is higher than I. Help me to live the “sanctified, saint-ified” life.

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I Need Help!

By Kate Plourde

On March 17, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22)

Burdens come in different shapes and sizes. Some come in the shape of broken relationships, while others come as physical trials. Oh what a blessing this verse is when one of God’s children is going through trials. Sometimes our burdens seem to weigh us down. We born again believers have a Heavenly Father who cares for us, and desires to relieve us of our burdens. God wants us to be rid of the primary burden in all of our lives, and that is the burden of sin. Today’s graphic portrays this process beautifully! The burden of sin for all who come to salvation in Jesus was taken upon Christ at the cross. There, that burden can be set down never to be picked up again! Praise the Lord!

The God of all creation wants us to call upon Him. As I pondered this thought, I did a search in my Bible software on the phrase “upon the Lord” – what comfort and joy the search results brought to me. Let me share some of them with you:

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears. (2 Sam. 22:7)

And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering. (1 Chron. 21:26)

Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers. (2 Chron. 13:18 )

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. (Psalm 18:3)

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. (Psalm 18:6)

For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. (Psalm 37:9)

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22)

Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them. (Psalm 99:6)

I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. (Psalm 118:5)

Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. (Psalm 123:2)

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isa 40:31)

And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. (1 Cor. 7:35)

The Father cares for us so much, and longs to have this close relationship with us. So many take this for granted and don’t go to Him with all their cares. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Pet 5:7) Don’t you desire to run to a place where the Father is waiting to listen to your every word? He is not distracted by the television. He is not indifferent to your needs. He will be as close to you as you allow Him to be.

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What Are YOU Looking At?

By Kate Plourde

On March 14, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

It has been my experience that weariness can be the result of what my eyes rest upon. As I was in Psalms this morning, I noticed that God was David’s priority. This verse says that he “set” God always before him. The word “set” here means to put God in His proper place in my life. Furthermore, David continued to say that God was at his right hand. The right hand was, and is still considered, the stronger hand for most people. As I see it, if I keep God in that proper position in my life, I will keep God on my strong side.

When you put the two thoughts together, one is the result of the other. How can I not be swayed by the whims of this world? How can I spot deceitfulness in whatever I hear or read? How can I rest assured that God’s Word means exactly what it says? How can I be as stedfast as David? The answer is clear:

I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

The picture in this post shows us that God desires us to see Him clearly. When we set the Lord in every aspect of our life, we will see what is going on around us, and not be surprised.

Do you set your time with the Lord so He can awaken your spirit and prepare you for the day? Don’t you want answers? Don’t you want direction? It’s so easy to ask a friend for advice. However, what you are more than likely going to receive from that friend is biased response. God holds no bias at all. He is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). He loves His children equally because He is a perfect Father. It is better to seek His counsel because He is perfect!

David must have taught Solomon well in this area because he wrote:

Pro 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Give it a try! Set God before you … see your spiritual walk more clearly as you focus on Him instead of the world.

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God, Are You Listening?

By Kate Plourde

On March 12, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

Psalm 120:1 A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.

God always has an attentive ear! Today’s verses encourage the believer that despite our most difficult times, we can know that when we cry out to the Lord, He will hear us!

I love how the verse opens up with God’s arm is not shortened that He cannot save! That’s the first step to having God’s listening ear! Salvation is key to a two-way communication with God. God doesn’t hear the prayer of a sinner except the prayer is one asking for His salvation. Then God listens to everything we speak with our mouth and with our heart!

John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

The Christian is not alone, even in the darkest of situations. There is nowhere we can go where God isn’t already there.

Psalm 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

No matter how discouraged or weary we get, the Lord is always there – He knows what we are going through – He promises to hear our cries and provide us with exactly what we need to make it through our trial. He will lift us up in times when we are overwhelmed by life. At times, He even carries us through.

Some of you are battling cancer; some are battling chronic illnesses; and others are battling broken homes. You are not alone! Do not be weary. Know that your Heavenly Father will never leave you.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

I am always encouraged when I know that I am not alone, and that there is someone to share my burden with. The Lord desires to carry our burdens for us – He desires that we turn to Him when we are at the end of our rope.

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Our Lord and Saviour promises us rest from our burdens and cares. Christian, turn to the only One who can truly help you when you are weary. He is the only one who can solve your problems! Don’t give in to Satan’s attempts to drag you down. Don’t give in to his lies that God does not hear you.

Psalm 121:1 A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

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What’s Keeping You?

By Kate Plourde

On March 10, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. ~Isaiah 12:2

In looking back on my entire life, I remember gifts given to me; but none so important than the gift of salvation from the Father. The born-again Christian has received the most blessed gift – eternal life in Heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ. That penalty that we greatly deserved was taken upon the Lord Himself, and we are no longer judged! Furthermore, we are no longer under condemnation (Romans 8:1). Our sins are no longer remembered but they are buried in the deepest sea. In fact, they are removed as far as the east is from the west! (Psa 103:12 and Micah 7:19) That alone should be enough to cause the Christian to rejoice, don’t you think? Sometimes I think that Christians forget just how much they have been rescued from.

The Lord tells us that we also can trust in Him to be with us during those difficult times. God never sleeps so He is always watchful of what happens to us.

~Psalm 121:3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

We have no need to be afraid of anything in our lives because the God who loves us, and never sleeps, is watching … waiting … diligently protecting us. We can rest in His care! 💙 We can be assured that the problems of the day will be handled by the Master and we can enjoy peaceful rest. In fact, this verse says our sleep will be sweet.

~Proverbs 3:24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

God’s strength cannot be measured – after all, He is not a man! What better arms to rest in than those of the Lord’s?

~Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Serving the Lord, and resting in His care, will put a song in your heart!

~Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

What is it in your life that is keeping you from achieving rest in Him? Think about it, and jot down your answer(s). Then talk to the Lord about it. Since He never sleeps, and has counted the hairs on your head (Matthew 10:30). Therefore, you are precious to Him and He cares about you! (1 Peter 5:7)

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You’ve Been There, Haven’t You?

By Kate Plourde

On March 7, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

Jonah 2:1-10 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly, (2) And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. (3) For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. (4) Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. (5) The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. (6) I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God. (7) When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. (8) They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. (9) But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD. (10) And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

I have seen many a graphic about Jonah being swallowed up by a great fish, but this one was the most descriptive. You can read all about the reason Jonah ended up in this situation in Jonah 1:1-17. But I want to concentrate on chapter 2 because Jonah’s heartfelt prayer is one that we have uttered (or will utter) at some point in our spiritual walk. To me, it is probably one of the most sincere prayers of the Scriptures. David had some wonderful Psalms describing his turmoil, but Jonah’s words brought me to tears.

Someone I follow on Telegram posted a YouTube video about Jonah’s account, and it pierced my heart. So much so, I had to write about it in hopes that this would be a blessing to someone. I may not have been in the belly of a great fish, but the darkness I felt within my spirit sure made it feel as though I was in the same darkness. Jonah’s circumstances leading to his being swallowed up are not my circumstances. The result of his disobedience led Jonah to his destination. My darkest hours did not come from disobedience. I was blindsided by a family problem that I could not fix. We mothers are naturals at fixing problems at home. But there comes a time when one problem in particular cannot be fixed. Nothing pierces a mother’s heart more deeply than alienation from her child(ren). But this time, was much worse.

I have been told by other mothers’ stories about their prodigal child. Some had a child that left home, not because of something the parents did, but because they wanted to live their own lives. Others have prodigals who left because they believed that all things wrong in their life was the parents’ fault. The end result of any of these stories is that of not hearing from our prodigal. Some live nearby, some have left the area; the pain is the same.

Rather than dwelling on the circumstances, I wanted to take a different path and look at Jonah’s prayer. Nine beautiful verses of passionate prayer resulted in a beautiful result! I learned so much from this prayer:

The Lord heard Jonah! It didn’t matter how dark it was in the belly of the fish or how deep that fish swam into the sea! Can you imagine being tossed about inside that fish as it maneuvered its way through the billows and waves? Jonah could not see a thing – it was pitch black. A darkness he had never experienced in his life. He may not have thought that God would hear him from these depths but yet God heard him!
Jonah tells God what kind of mess he’s in! Verse 5 is so descriptive! I can imagine how scared Jonah must have been.
Jonah looked to God despite his circumstances. I love verse 7 – Jonah remembered the Lord when he felt like it was over for him.
What was Jonah’s reaction? He prayed and acknowledged that it is a lie to think he could find happiness apart from God. Disobedience never brings happiness. 1 Samuel 15:22 tells us that obedience is better than sacrifice. In other words, if you disobey God, you can sacrifice a hundred lambs but you will never have peace. God doesn’t want your sacrifices (the works of your hands); God wants obedience.
Jonah’s repentance was true as we see that he said he would sacrifice to God with a voice of thanksgiving. I can’t imagine being thankful that I have a prodigal son, but I can be thankful that the One who created my son loves him more than I do. God’s perfect will will be accomplished, just as it was in Jonah’s life.
The end result of Jonah’s prayer was his admitting that salvation is of the LORD. Indeed it is!

After nine verses of repentance and praise, this chapter ends with God releasing Jonah out of mouth of the fish. Did you notice that Jonah was not spit out in the water? No! He was spit out onto dry land. When God answers prayer, He provides a complete answer. He did not leave Jonah to wallow in the waters until rescue came from another method. Instead, God showed Jonah that only He, God, could provide such a complete answer!

As for my prodigal, I learned that I could not fix this problem; only God can fix it. Are you wallowing in the same darkness as I was? Does your life’s situation seem hopeless to you? I hope and pray that you will dive into Jonah’s account and be as blessed as I am!

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It’s Your Choice

By Kate Plourde

On March 5, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

~Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

~Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

~Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Man was created in the “likeness” of God. From the beginning, man had the choice between good and evil. However, since man was not God, or a god (as some religions teach), he was not able to say no to sin when given that choice.

God gave Adam and Eve the awesome privilege of living sin free as long as they obeyed one rule: not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. At this point, Adam and Eve only knew “good.” They lived in a perfect place where God would walk with them in the Garden! You would think that they would understand how great their life was, and they wouldn’t want to do anything to jeopardize that life. However, they were easily deceived by Satan. He cast a shadow of doubt on God’s words. In Genesis 3:1, Satan said, “hath God said”? It caused Eve to question what God had told them. It further caused her to add to God’s words with ” neither shall ye touch it”. God didn’t say not to touch the tree but merely not to eat of it.

So from the beginning of man, it has been man’s choice to disobey God. Initially, Hell was created for the devil and his angels, not man. Hell was there before Adam and Eve came along.

~Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

However, because man has chosen to sin, man has also chosen to go to Hell. God doesn’t choose to send people to Hell, man chooses it.

~Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

~Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

~Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God created man for fellowship, as we see in Genesis 3:8. God knew that man would choose sin over God. So from the beginning, God provided a way for man to go to Heaven, but again, it is man’s choice – as it always has been. We do have a loving God. Sending people to Hell isn’t what He wanted. He gave man a choice from the beginning. God’s choice is for man to live a wonderful, sin-free life, just as Adam and Eve had the opportunity to have!

Why would God create man if all He wanted were robots who always did what they were told, without a choice? It’s evident that God wants us to love Him by choice, not because we have to. God gives us every opportunity to be saved from the choices we make that will lead us to Hell. However, it is the hardened heart that refuses God’s love and His Heaven.

~Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

It is man’s natural instinct to blame someone else for his undoing. Adam blamed, Eve. Eve blamed the serpent. Today, man blames God for sending people to Hell rather than praise God for providing a way to Heaven through Jesus Christ! It’s man’s choice to sin that takes him to Hell, not God.

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How To Recognize Truth

By Kate Plourde

On March 3, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

Name one thing that provides 100% accuracy. Is there anything we see or hear today that we can rely on as being completely true? Think on this for a moment. Has your favorite newspaper been 100% accurate all the time? Has the podcast you’re following always be truthful, and not biased? Has your own church ever let you down because you don’t agree with what is being taught? The phrase, “What is truth?” has circulated the last couple of years, and it behooves me that the world doesn’t know what it is or where they can find it.

I was raised Catholic and I was taught:

that truth is found in the Bible
the Bible has to be interpreted by the church; I cannot do it myself
truth is also found in church tradition

But what happens when one of these bullets contradicts the other? Then what does one hold on to as truth? It’s a simple question – and the answer is just as simple. To name a few verses:

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Psa 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

Psa 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (7) Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

The Bible is truth, given to us by God. It does not matter if the tradition or interpretation comes from “a man of God.” What matters is what is in the Bible.

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Gal 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. ( 8 ) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

The gospel is a message from God given to the world through His Son, Jesus Christ. The gospel, which means good news, is:

Jesus Christ (God in the flesh) came to earth
He was born of a virgin
Lived a sinless life
Died on the cross for our sins
He was raised from the dead
And ascended into Heaven

Anything added or taken away from this is not the truth. If you sit in a church long enough, you will be able to discern whether the preaching is according to the gospel. The gospel is what leads people to salvation. Everyone is a sinner in need of saving. Every person deserves an opportunity to decide where he/she will spend eternity. Follow this link if you want to know how!

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He Knows!

By Kate Plourde

On February 28, 2025

In Devotionals, Thoughts and Meditations

The believer has the wonderful privilege of always being able to see the blessed “light at the end of the tunnel” because we know the One who sees everything. However, one can become weary when he/she becomes entangled with the cares of this world and his vision becomes cloudy.

Imagine standing on a mountain and viewing a 100-car train below. You can see the engine, and also look further down to see the last car. From this vantage point, you can see if there is any trouble up ahead.

Now if you were riding in one of the cars and you were looking out the window, would you be able to see several cars forward? Would you be able to see what is happening several cars behind you? No, you could only see what is closest to you.

I believe our lives are quite similar to a train. We tend to remember what has happened to us recently but fail to remember how the Lord has helped us a few years ago when things were pretty rough. We also cannot see what lies ahead because no man knows the future, of course. However, my friend, our Creator can see the entire 100-car train just as He sees your entire life. He not only sees the engine or the caboose, but He sees every single car in between. Each car carries its own treasure – each car carries its own burden – each car carries its own set of problems. The Lord sees them all!

Furthermore, the fact that our Shepherd sees each car and what it has in store for us, He knows exactly what we need along the way. No matter how fast or slow our train is moving, the Lord is there along the way, ready to give us the right measure of grace we need to make it through. There is nothing in those cars so frightful that He is not aware of it. There is nothing in those cars so burdensome that He will not sustain you. There is nothing so tempting in those cars that He will not provide a way of escape.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. ~1 Corinthians 10:13

Therefore, don’t be weary in well doing. Don’t worry about whether or not your work for the Lord will amount to your expectations or not. There is no need because He knows what is in store for you around the bend. The Lord sees the big picture (the whole train) and knows the outcome. He stands ready to provide you with exactly what you need at the time you need it.

~Luke 12:29-31 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. (29) For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. (30) But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. (31)

Christ wants us to continue with our spiritual walk – reading, praying, seeking after His will, doing His work, being a blessing to others – and leave the conducting to Him. He is our Great Train Conductor and He never sleeps

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. ~Psalm 121:3

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